We said farewell to one of our colleagues this past weekend and the American contingent is down one of their prettiest members. A small gathering was held at the Cornell's to celebrate Leah's new beginning and our loss. We will miss her ever present smile that could been seen from a block away and her patience in always being there to help us out of a jam with her excellent Chinese. She is returning to London to visit with her Grandparents then on to spend some quality time with her family in Massachusetts before joining main squeeze Will in England to begin a new phase in their life. Will, the only British member of our group will continue teaching till the end of the semester and after a little travel in China, will return to England to begin his duties as a teacher in the Chinese Department of a posh public school. In England, they call private schools, public schools. Still trying to figure that one out.
A number of our group will be saying goodbye at the end of the semester so there will be a few more goodbyes to be had. I have said this before but I will say it again. It was so easy to bond with these kids. I am sure that some psychological mumbo-jumbo could explain our feelings but this will somehow spoil what has been a wonderful moment in our life. Who cares why, it just happened and our lives are better for it. Sometimes it is better not to know how, but just to savor those moments.
"Stay in touch" is so easy to say, but over the years Nonie and I found it was easier said than done. But this time Nonie and I will stay in touch with this crazy bunch. We just gotta know!
For reasons that will come up in future blogs, Nonie and I will not be returning to Harbin next semester. It was a difficult decision.But don't worry, the adventure continues. Stay tuned.
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